Contoured support cushion



March 31, 1970 M E, JOHNSON CONTOURED SUPPORT CUSHION 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 1, 1968 INV EN TOR 410: navel will & Mafihw ATTORNEYS March 31, 1970 M. E. JOHNSON 3,503,649

CONTOURED SUPPORT CUSHION Filed April 1, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Mer/e 5 zfa finJa/r INVENTOR #agdu PM! WM & Mme.

ATTORNE YS March 31, 1970 JOHNSON 3,503,649

CONTOURED SUPPORT CUSHION Filed April 1, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INV EN TOR 5/ 6,3 k ngda punt! Who & Matthew ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,503,649 CONTOURED SUPPORT CUSHION Merle E. Johnson, 1417 Carlisle, Rosenberg, Tex. 77471 Filed Apr. 1, 1968, Ser. No. 717,888 Int. Cl. A47c 7 02 U.S. Cl. 297459 2 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A contoured seat cushion for aligning the pelvic girdle of a person seated thereon so as to properly support his lower back and support the weight of the torso of a person sitting erect thereon.

Thii. is a continuation-in-part of my co-pending application entitled Contoured Seat Cushion, filed July 22, 19 66, and bearing Ser. No. 567,211, now Patent No. 3,376,070.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION By far the great majority of bench-type seats and individual conventional chairs do not provide proper support for the pelvic girdle of a person seated thereon to permit sitting in an erect position over a sustained period of time without experiencing general discomfort and fatigue. Due to the improper distribution of the weight of the trunk of a person sitting in an incorrect position an inordinate amount of the weight of the upper body is borne by the superior and inferior posterior articular processes or zygapophysis of the lumbar vertebra and sacrum which places a strain on the muscles of the back and produces a tiredness in the back and between the shoulders with a corresponding general malaise.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved contour seat support cushion for properly aligning and supporting the pelvic girdle of a person seated in an erect position thereon so as to cast the weight of the upper body on the proper load bearing portions of the skeletal anatomy such as the body of the sacrum and the lumbar vertebra while at the same time relieving compressing loading from the zygapophysis of the lumbar vertebra and sacrum which is otherwise improperly placed thereon.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved contour seat support cushion adapted to be used on conventional bench-type seats or individual chairs including a base having an upstanding laterally extending rear portion with a V-shaped depression in the forward sloping surface thereof adapted to support the posterior superior iliac spines of the ilium of a person seated thereon and having a pair of forwardly extending lateral ridges sloped inwardly toward the central portion of the base to form the sides of a U-shaped depression which extend around a centrally disposed dome having a V-shaped depression in the rear side thereof facing the rear V-shaped depression in the lateral extending rear portion for comfortably supporting the body of a person seated in an erect position thereon.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view showing the contour seat support cushion positioned on a chair shown in phantom;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the contoured seat support of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an isometric perspective showing a partial skeleton in a position of a person seated on the support cushion;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view showing a skeleton of Patented Mar. 31, 1970 FIG. 7 is a front perspective view showing additional details of the alternate embodiment of the support cushion of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation showing the alternate embodiment of the invention with a partial skeleton of the person in a seated position thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The contoured cushion of the present invention designated generally in C in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings preferably comprises a cushion formed from foam rubber or other suitable yieldable material, such as one of the elastomers. Such cushion seat is adapted to be used for supporting a person seated in an erect position thereon on a hard rigid surface such as the chair shown in phantom in FIG. 1 or on a yieldable surface such as a padded or cushioned seat of the type generally found in modern automobiles.

Such cushion C preferably includes a base portion 11 which is normally flat and which engages the upper surface of the chair or other supporting structure on which the cushion C is positioned for use. As shown, such cushion has a generally straight leading or forward edge 12 with a pair of diverging sides 14 and 15 which are inclined towards each other and they approach the rear edge 16 which is generally curved from one side 14 to the other side 15.

A longitudinal central axis 20 is shown for purposes of a descriptive reference as it will be noted that the various contoured portions of the upper surface of the cushion C are substantially the same on opposite sides of such central axis 20. As shown, a laterally extending upstanding rear projection 21 is provided adjacent the rear edge 16 of such cushion C. The interior surface 22 of the rear projection 21 is inclined inwardly toward a central part of the cushion C and is provided with a V-shaped groove 23 which extends from the top 21a of the ridge 20 to the floor or surface 24 of the cushion C adlacent thereto. The vertex 23a of the V-shaped groove 23 is disposed generally along the longitudinal or central axis 20 of the cushion C with the open ends 23d and 230 of such V-shaped groove disposed on opposite sides of the axis 20 and approximately equidistance therefrom. Such V-shaped groove 23 has a pair of lateral sides 26 and 27 which intersect the inclined surface 22 to divide it into triangular shaped portions 22a and 22b, respectively. A pair of laterally extending curved surfaces 28 and 29 are provided on the inner inclined side of the rear ridge or projection 21. Such surfaces 28 and 29 are curved laterally outwardly adjacent the inclined surfaces 22a and 22b, respectively, and merge into the down wardly sloping sides 30 and 31 which slope gradually downwardly from a substantially fiat upper surface or ledge 33 at the top of the rear projection 21 extending along the rear edge 16 of the cushion C. As best seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings the sloping surfaces 31 and 32 extend around the rear corners 35 and 36 of the cushion C and slope forwardly and downwardly along the sides 14 and 15, respectively to a point where they terminate near the forward corners 37 and 38 of such cushion C.

The sloping sides 31 and 32 thus form a U-shaped ridge that extends around the outer perimeter of the rear 16 and lateral sides 14 and 15 of the cushion C and also forms the outer side of the U-shaped recess or depression 40 in the cushion C.

A dome or hump 50 is provided centrally of such U-shaped depression 40 near the leading or front edge 12 of the cushion C. Such dome 50 has a V-shaped recess 51 formed therein along the central axis 20 and is inclined inwardly and downwardly toward the U-shaped recess 40 and is facing the V-shaped recess 23 in the rear upstanding portion 21 on the opposite side of the U-shaped recess 40. Such dome 50 is formed with a transversely extending ridge 53 which forms the upper edge of the laterally sloping surfaces 54 and 55 extending downwardly from such ridge 53 toward the front corners 37 and 38 as well as the upper edge of a rearwardly sloping surface or slope 55 which slopes downwardly from such ridge 53 toward the U-shaped recess 40. As shown, the dome 50 also includes forward inclined triangular surface 56 which extends downwardly from the apex 57 of the V-shaped groove 51 toward the leading or front edge 12.

Such cushion C also includes a pair of laterally disposed inclined surfaces 60 and 61 which extend generally along the sides 14 and 15 in which are tapered or inclined from rounded upstanding projections 62 and 63 positioned near the rear corners 35 and 36 respectively, downwardly to the rear side of the U-shaped depression 40. Such members 60 and 61 also include rearwardly inclined surfaces 65 and 66, respectively, which are tapered rearwardly and downwardly toward the portion of the U-shaped depression 40 immediately in front of the rear projection 21.

The pelvic girdle portion P of the skeleton anatomy of a person seated in an upright position on the cushion C is shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and of the drawings. Such pelvic girdle P includes the hip or innominate bones I, the sacrum S which supports the lumbar vertebra L on the hips I, the coccyx C and the femur or thigh bones F. As shown in FIG. 3 of the drawings the coccyx C is normally positioned in the central portion of the U- shaped recess 40 posteriorly of the hump or dome 50 with the femurs F extending forwardly on each side of the dome 50 in the forward facing portions of the U-shaped recess 40.

As best seen in FIG. 5 of the drawings the rear projection 21 is provided for engaging and supporting the posterior superior iliac spines 71 of the ilium 72 so as to position the coccyx C in the central portion of the U-shaped depression 40 where it will be relatively free of compressive loading. The inclined portion 2212 adjacent the V-shaped opening 23 engages the lower back portion of a person seated thereon adjacent the ilium 72 to add additional support thereto as well as to assist in aligning the pelvic girdle P in the desired position relative to the cushion C. Also, as shown, the V-shaped opening 23 is adjacent the coccyx C to provide an additional opening or recess in the forward surface of the rear projection 21 so as not to impose any lateral or compressive loading on the coccyx C.

The inwardly inclined surfaces 62 and 63 of the lateral support members 60 and 61, respectively are provided for engaging the Glutaeus maximus of the upper leg of the person seated on the cushion C for supporting and aligning a pelvic girdle as well as for positioning the femurs P so that they will be disposed substantially parallel to each other and extending forwardly of the cushion C to prevent tilting of the pelvic girdle P.

Also, as shown in the drawings, the interior inclined surfaces 55 on the sides or flanks of the dome 50 adjacent the U-shaped depression 40 are provided for supporting the inferior ramus of the ischium 73 of a person seated on such cushion C. Similarly, the inwardly inclined surface 62 and 63 are provided for receiving and supporting the tuberosity of the ischium 74. Thus, it will be appreciated that with the apparatus of this invention the pelvic girdle P of a person seated an upright or erect position on the cushion C is supported by cushion C in a manner which will provide a three-point support for the hips of such person together with a suitable depression for receiving the sacrum and coccyx C without imposing an undesired compressive loading thereon."

An alternative embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention which is generally the same in many respects as the FIGS. 15 embodiment shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 of the drawings which includes the rear projection 21 together with the laterally extending curved surfaces 28 and 29 and the laterally sloping surfaces 31 and 32. Rather than extend around the rear corners 35 and 36 as the sloping surfaces do in the FIGS. 1-5 embodiment, in the cushion C of the alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8 of the drawings has a wedge shaped recess cut out the cushion C near the rear corners 35 and 36 posteriorly of the rounded projections 62 and 63, respectively. A strap 83 is provided which extends across the rear upstanding portion 22 and has buckles 84 anchored to the lateral sides 14 and 15, respectively by suitable straps 86. A plurality of holes 8-7 is provided in each end of the strap 83 adjacent the wedges or recesses 80 to facilitate closure, or partial closure of such wedges 80 as to adjust the size of the cushion C to fit various size users. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the wedge or recesses 80 extend exteriorly of the cushion C to the U-shaped recess 40.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape, and materials as well as in the details of the illustrated construction.

What is claimed is:

1. A contoured seat support cushion adapted to align the pelvic girdle of a person seated thereon so as to properly distribute the weight of such persons torso including:

(a) a cushion support having a substantially fiat bottom portion with a curved rear portion and laterally extending sides sloping inwardly and downwardly to form a forward facing U-shaped depression for receiving and supporting the pelvic girdle of a person seated thereon,

(b) an upstanding rear support member extending laterally outwardly along said curved rear portion to said side portions and having a forwardly and downwardly inclined surface thereon sloping downwardly toward the central portion of said U-shaped depression for receiving and supporting the posterior superior iliac spines of the ilium of the person seated thereon,

(c) a pair of laterally spaced inwardly inclined surfaces sloping -forward ly and downwardly toward the central portion of said U-shaped depression for receiving and supporting the tuberosity of the ischium of the person seated thereon,

(d) a central dome portion disposed on the forward side of said U-shaped depression and having a transversely extending ridge thereon with a laterally facing inclined surface on the rear side of said dome sloping -downwardly toward said U-shaped depression and laterally facing surfaces on the forward side of said dome sloping downwardly toward the forward portion of said U-shaped depression,

(e) said laterally facing inclined surface provided for receiving and supporting the inferior ramus of the ischium of the person seated thereon, with a V- shaped recess in said dome and extending longitudinally of said cushion,

(f) there being wedge-shaped recesses formed in the rear portion of said cushion and adjustable means for closing said recesses a desired amount to adjust the size of the rear portion of said cushion to fit a particular user, and

(g) said adjustable means comprises a laterally extending strap on the rear of said cushion with buckle means supported on said lateral Side portions of said cushion on the opposite sides of said wedgeshaped recesses from said laterally extending strap.

2. A contoured seat support cushion adapted to align the pelvic girdle of a person seated thereon so as to properly distribute the weight of such persons torso including:

(a) a cushion support having a substantially flat bottom portion with a curved rear portion and laterally extending sides sloping inwardly and downwardly to form a forward facing U-shaped depression for receiving and supporting the pelvic girdle of a person seated thereon,

(b) an upstanding rear support member extending laterally outwardly along said curved rear portion to said side portions and having a forwardly and downwardly inclined surface thereon sloping downwardly toward the central portion of said U-shaped depression for receiving and supporting the posterior superior iliac spines of the ilium of the person seated thereon,

(c) a pair of laterally spaced inwardly inclined surfaces sloping forwardly and downwardly toward the central portion of said U-shaped depression for receiving and supporting the tuberosity of the ischium of the person seated thereon,

(d) a central dome portion disposed on the forward side of said U-shaped depression and having a transversely extending ridge thereon with a laterally facing inclined surface on the rear side of said dome sloping downwardly toward said U-shaped depression and laterally facing surfaces on the forward side of said dome sloping downwardly toward the forward portion of said U-shaped depression,

(e) said laterally facing inclined surface provided for receiving and supporting the inferior ramus of the ischium of the person seated thereon, with a V-shaped recess in said dome and extending longitudinally of said cushion, and

(f) said inclined surface having a V-shaped groove extending from the top of the rear support member and extending downwardly toward the U-shaped depression, with said V-shaped groove dividing said inclined surface of said rear support member into triangular shaped portions whereby said groove may receive the coccyx of the person seated on said cushion to relieve compression loading of the persons lumbar vertebrae.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,177,036 4/1965 Halter 297454 3,376,070 4/1968 Johnson 297459 FOREIGN PATENTS 852,364 France.

CASMIR A. NUNBERG, Primary Examiner U .5. Cl. X.R. 297-458 

